Slain Ibadan traders lost N22m, says leader

The 10 Ibadan traders who were killed by Boko Haram sect members in Monguno, Borno State, last Friday night lost N22million cash to their attackers, it was announced yesterday.

All was gloomy on Tuesday when the bodies of the Bodija market apprentice beans sellers, who went to buy their goods in Borno – the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency – were brought back home.

The secretary of the Bodija Market Food Sellers Association, Mr Sola Faribido, told reporters that the money belonged to seven of the 20 traders who contributed cash for the purchase of beans, which they would have brought back for sale in Ibadan.

He said the traders put the money in a bank in Ibadan, withdrew it in Borno State and headed for the village where they were to buy the beans.

Faribido regretted that they were attacked, the money taken away from them before they were killed. There were two survivors of the attack.

He was convinced that the murdered traders were followed from the bank after a possible tip off from banker informants.

Faribido said many of the traders, who lost money are now in debt, having obtained bank and cooperative loans.

Recalling what happened, the market leader said: “We heard that our traders were murdered by Boko Haram on Friday. It happened around 3pm on Friday. We were calling their numbers without reply, until two of the survivors showed up to confirm that the others have been killed.

“It happened initially on May 5. We thought the security measure taken would assist us by not sending majority of the traders to the North but see what happened again.”

“The effect of this is that prices would go up. The price is now N500. We are traders and we are deeply involved. Those in that line would have to diversify.”

The mood in the market yesterday was still sober.

One of the beans merchants, whose three apprentices were murdered, Alhaji Musa Owolabi, aka 77 Elewa, said his losses were unquantifiable.

Owolabi said: “What can I say now? My boys (Nurudeen Lawal, Ninalowo Saheed and Femi Oyetunde) were among those murdered by the Boko Haram. Whenever we need to buy goods for sale, some of us would gather money and ask a few people to buy for us. That was what happened last week.

“We learnt that on Friday, shortly after the Jumat, our colleagues who travelled were intercepted and killed. The cash on them was taken away. Now, their family members are mourning. We don’t know how to console them. It is not the money that matters now.”

Opeyemi Adegboyega, a sister to Seye Adegboyega, one of the slain traders, told our reporter on the telephone that she planned an appointment with her brother on some family issues before he was murdered.

She said her 35-year-old brother was buried in his house at Amuloko in Ibadan, which he moved into about two years ago.

He said his fashion designer wife, Anuoluwapo, has been moved to the family house in Olorunsogo.

The traders association spokesman, Mr Akeem Emiola, dismissed any possibility of a protest, saying: “It is not in our plan to carry out any protest. The governor has not offended us. Security at the market is very tight now and we have appealed to our members to maintain the peace. It is our responsibility to work and that of the government is to provide security, but they have failed us.”

According to him, during the May 5 atteck when five of the traders were killed in the North, the executive of the union banned the traders from going to the North. He said the ban was lifted when the Hausa started bringing in their goods to Ibadan.

He said:” “We then lifted the ban because they were making more money while our people were suffering. That was their third trip after we lifted the ban and see what has happened to our people now.”

It was gathered yesterday that the two survivors, (Taoreed Azeez and Ibrahim Ademola), have been advised to stay indoors by family and friends, who believe they may still be wanted by the Boko Haram.

Senator Femi Lanlehin flayed the killings yesterday as O’Odua National Coalition (ONAC), a league of many Yoruba self-determination groups, called for an end to such wanton killings.

In a statement by ONAC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr Popoola Ajayi, the group urged Southwest governors to set up vigilance groups to stem the tide of violent crimes and terrorism.

ONAC said its contacts in the North revealed that the “Bodija 10”were murdered in the most gruesome manner.

“This murder must not go unpunished. Boko Haram is targeting religious and ethnic groups. There is a campaign of terror going on … in the North.”

The group said the killings underline the urgent need to address the “garrison structure” of Nigeria and guarantee self-determination for the various ethnic groups.

Lanlehin (Oyo South), in a statement by his media aide, Olawale Sadare,said: “Every right thinking person would mince no word in condemning this dastardly act of wanton killings of innocent, hard working and active patriots. More so, about four of their colleagues had lost their lives in a similar circumstance a few weeks back while pursuing their lawful business activities.

“The pertinent questions here are: why the gruesome killing of fellow human beings without any provocation? Who takes the blame for such wanton and unjustifiable killings? When will Nigerians be free to live in areas of choice, or move round the country as free citizens without the fear of being attacked at will?”

Lanlehin sympathyised with the families of the traders, the entire Bodija market community as well as Ibadan people, who have been subjected to untold trauma and agony in view of the development. He called for compensation for the families of the deceased.

Is this a case of armed robbery or boko haram attack.May they rest in peace.Useless big for nothing giant called nigeria.

Dav

lai Muhammed and co do you hear?Look at the people you are romancing with,killing your people.There is more to islam than meets the eyes.This religion has caused sorrow to millions of people across the world.Let it be wiped out for peace to reign.

Joeseph Lar

May the soul of those Nigerian rest in peace.Now what has Lai Mohamed got to do with this?Please dont make us look like fools where is the truth?10 Yorubas with some other Nigerians traveling with 22million Naira to go and buy what in an area infested with Chardian Rebels robbing Nigerians.How can any sensible person travel with that kind of Money?Pls dont fool Nigerians.a pure case of armed robbery

I believe you did not follow up the story very well. The area they ware going to purchase this goods mostly believes in cash transactions from my experience . They are mostly semi learned or none at all. The money was only drawn in a maiduguri bank o buy what the needed at the close by town. Is a pity. May their gentle soul rest in peace. This is what they have been doing perfectly. The police should investigate to ensure there was no any tip up from an informant

Jibril, remember! A tree cannot make a forest. Only God has it all ‘n’ Not any man on earth or else where.May d souls of d slain rest in peace.

F. B. Bernard

I can’t agree more. The Islamic relegion has dramatically changed in time from a relegion offering prayers to slaughtering innocent people. You are definitely not alone with this concern. I for one, I do not want to share my space, time or world with any Muslim because it’s difficult to discern between peace loving Muslims and murders.

wale

IT IS A SHAME THAT SOME PEOPLE LIKE U DON’T KNOW HOW TO TALK AND STAY AWAY FROM MAKING COMMENTS THAN CREATING MORE PROBLEMS IN THE SOCIETY.

naijaman

This a clear case of armed robbery. Concluding who did cases like this is reason why we never know who did it, these market men/women have concluded it was done by boko haram members without any proof of BH involvement. May the souls of the deads rest in peace, May God Almighty give their families the fortitude to bear the loss.

pito

lai Muhammed and co do you hear?Look at the people you are romancing with,killing your people.There is more to islam than meets the eyes.This religion has caused sorrow to millions of people across the world.Let it be wiped out for peace to reign.

Suleman

This might just be a case of armed robbery carried out in boko haram style to divert investigations. Some one knws they were carrying money. Pls police investigate.

This act looks like organised robbery, whatever it is, the govt of d day needs to do more on security aspect. Noise making by govt is not the solution but a good roadmap of effective security. We need to be secured, the gruesome way by which these innocents were killed is totally barbaric.

bidd

I wish there were never a religion called Islam.They have sent many to their early graves across the world,through their jihad.Hell fire awaits all you murderers.Islam!Religion of peace indeed.

Bigd

I wish there were never a religion called islam.Terror every where.They have sent many to their early graves through their jihad activities.Repent all you murderers,hell fire awaits you.

Koko

Even before the advent of boko haram the northern muslems were at liberty to kill southerners expecially igbos who they kill at will without gov doing anything about it.this people are so barbaric wicked and are not suppose to live amist human race

jibril

I don’t think this is a case of Boko harama attack but armed robbery. This come to the fore that Yoruba can’t feed themselves when Nigeria is divided and they are the ones making unnecessary noise. APC thing is shit cos northerners don’t trust yorubas because of their hypocritical tendency

Is beans something to be so proud of? is that the only food obtainable? . You should be ashame that most of the teachers in the schools overthere are the race your are accussing. In maiduguri, long before now, no good education, no moral senses of love for humanity. Short up please and think reasonably. We are very important to each other.

anyhow the situation may be let stop eaten of beans for now.many apprentice are killed,oga are calculating the money they lost.i pray God wil restore the nation’s peace.Nigerian what is going to apen next?

Ebuka Amaechi

Let the Southern Region rise above ethnic politics and unnecessary accrim- onious name callings amongst the tribes, especially among the two dominant tribes in the region,to fight the Islamic Terrorists from the North to stop the BUTCHERING of the armless Nigerians & perceived innocent Christians.Enough of the Divide/Rule craftly instituted amongst the South by the Northern Millitary led Junta and their wickd and Corrupt Civilian Collabrators that put the Country in its present SORRY STATE.

realbiafra

lt is very painful to see innocent people being killed without any reason ,Boko haram warned the southerners to leave their land.
president should call for national conference is the best thing to do
GOD BLESS BIAFRA

Henry

yoruba people are killed in the North and they are busy talking about the death of Ibos in the North. They lost youth coppers, they lost two professors last year in kano, they lost uncounted numbers of people being killed secretely in a remote areas in the north.I have seen a lot of yorubas i know that lost their lives in the kano but their people are busy on Ibos death. what a cowardice!

bidd

Those of you that hold the opinion that it is a case of armed robbery,you got it all wrong,you didn’t read a story made by a survivor of the incident.According to her,some of them had their necks slited after they were shot.I ask again,is this a case of armed robber?

bidd

Those of you that hold the opinion that it is a case of armed robbery,you got it all wrong,you didn’t read a story made by a survivor of the incident.According to her,some of them had their necks slit after they were shot.I ask again,is this a case of armed robber?

kunnex

The wrath of God awaits those that sponsor boko haram that kill innocent people, they should bear in mind that they don’t serve a true God of eternal life, but a god of eternal death in hell fire no matter how highly place you are on earth..

lanre

This should be considered as a wanton act of aggression on the South West/ Yoruba nation. I would suggest that a serious signal be sent to Boko Haram or whatever they call themselves by killing 20 (TWENTY) Hausa/Northern traders too and prepare for further actions. What is good for the goose is also very good for the gander.

santular j

i want to align with the position that it was a likely robbery case. can those that escaped tell their story of escape? knowing fully well that such robbery cases have been reported even in regions were there is no Boko case and such was linked to an insider i.e banker or colleague. The love of money is the root of all evil. RIP lost souls.

Musa Ahmed Suleiman

I am taken aback when people like Dav makes comment that tends to portray ISLAM as a Violent religion and Muslims as Bloodsucking Vampires.Far from this ISLAM-Ideal System Of Leaving For All Mankind:practiced in it’s pristine form represents an Ideal system from the time of Prophet Adam to Jesus to Muhammed(May ALLAH bless them).I admonished the likes of DAV to research what ISLAM is with a Simple Visit it’s Place Of worship & Compare it with what is In his Bible,If he is a Christian and read what Nehemiah 8v1-18 teaches,perhaps he will be Guided.So when criminals do what they do because it happen in the North does not represent ISLAM.It’s like saying when the CHURCH IN ENGLAND support Gay Bishop,that then represents the Christianity when it’s Unbiblical.We Must put aside Jejune bigotry when dealing with Issues we have No knowledge about!

Jemaiam

IS VRY BAD! HAUSA U PPLES SHOULD KNW WOT TO DO IN UR LAND,BCOS IF THE YORUBAS STARTED THE HAUSA WILL BLAME THEMSELVES. FOR THOSE THAT LOST THEIR LIFE’S MAY GOD GIVE THEM INTERNER REST AND FOR THE FAMILY’S OF THE DECEASE MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALL AMEN.THIS IS NOT BOKO’HARAM THEIR ARE ARMED ROBBER, U TAKE THEIR MONEY AND TAKE THEIR LIVES HMMM FEAR GOD.

goodman

Let buhari, el-rufai,tinubu,lier lai muhammed comment on these and leave their insatiable hunger for power for now.

Sikiru

Issue of Boko Haram of a thing is not a Religious issue, let us stop deceiving ourselves, it is a purely political issue linked with religion. We all know those behind this dastardly act, let us call a Spaid a Spaid and stop blaming one religion. The fact is that a good number of people killed by this criminal were Muslims. Talk with common sense, does Islam teaches violennce? stop being ignorant. Ask for Allah’s forgiveness and pray for the leaders of this Country.

afowowe chris

I think this is Boko Haram killing their fellow Muslim neighbour all because they do not hail from North, would this continue like this?

Okoh

All the way from Ibadan, there is no armed robbers until they reach maiduguri It is purely boko haram attack. Armed robbers can only collect your money, shooting someone can occur if there is resistance. But slaughtering people like ram is always like a daily bread in maiduguri the headquarters of boko haram.

henry uanzekin

i sympathize with the bereaved,but we should intensify prayers for our country which is threatening to disintegrate

weco

all muslins will now prefere armed robery to boko haram now! these are the people that will never mince taging southeners armed robers but now their ready to replace terrorism with armed robery. you are free to protect your religion with your last drop of your blood, any killing in the north acording to you is either jtf or armed robers your darling boko haram is simply harmles ok?

Just want 2 extent my condolence 2 the families who lost their members in dis dastardly act, may their soul rest in peace. Those pple who say it is armed robbery attack ar not far frm the truth as boko haram combine armed robery, murder, drug, rape and all kinds of things. Those of u clamouring for APC should continue bcos it is a party formed 2 reward the members of boko haram members and u wil c a lot of them in Aso rock if (may God forbid) the be in power. My advice for the Yorubas is that they shuld let let Tinubu send them to another decades of slavery. May God help us, amen!

donik

Lanleyi asked “Why the gruesome killing of fellow human beings without provocation? Who takes the blame for such wanton and unjustifiable killings” My answer on behalf o Lai Mohamed, publicity secretary of ACN, is this ” Blame Goodluck Jonathan, president of Nigeria.” because Lai Mohamed heaps blame on GEJ for all the terrorist activities in Nigeria.

BIAFRA LIVES ON

foolish people……………….see una dey call GEJ,what happened to your AWO that sacrificed the future of Nigeria for the sake of selfish and cowardly desires. The chicken are coming to roast. Is no longer only the igbos now suffer this barberic attack from this religion lunatics…………short sighted Nigerians…………